BIOGAS

Storage & Distribution

Abhishek Kumar
M. Tech (Thermal Engineering) 1

MNNIT Allahabad
Reg. No.- 2018TH05
BIOGAS & its Components :-
Table 1 :- components of biogas

Substance Biogas %
 Biogas refers to a mixture of Methane (𝐶𝐻4 ) 50 – 60
different gases produced by the
breakdown of organic matter in the Carbon Dioxide (𝐶𝑂2 ) 34 – 38
absence of oxygen. Nitrogen (𝑁2 ) 0–5

Water Vapour 0.6

Hydrogen Sulphide Trace

(𝐻2 S)
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Need of Storage :-

1. Storage for later on site usage.

2. Storage before and/or after transportation to off-site distribution.
3. Storing biogas also compensates fluctuation in the production &
consumption of biogas.
4. Storage to complete the requirement upto next cycle.
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Classification of Biogas Storage system : -

Biogas Storage System

Classification on the basis of location of Classification on the basis of Storage

Storage unit unit Pressure

Internal Biogas storage tank Low pressure Storage ( <2psi)

(Integrated with anaerobic
digestor)
Medium Pressure Storage ( 2 – 200 psi)
External Biogas Holder
(Separated from the digestor) 4
High Pressure Storage ( >200psi)
LOW PRESSURE STORAGE :-

• Pressure is less than 2 psi.

• Generally situated inside the cylinder.
• Example – Floating Gas Holder.
• Least expensive.
• Risk factor is less.

Double membrane biogas holder

Fig. 1 5
Medium Pressure Storage :-

• Pressure range is 2 to 200 psi. Problem :-

Cannot be directly stored by compression
• Generally for on site storage or less distance
distribution. Reason –
Impurities can cause Corrosion & hence leakage.

So, Purification needed, i.e. must be cleaned first by removing 𝐻2 S.

Cleaned Biogas is slightly compressed prior to storage.

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 High Pressure Storage : -

 As biogas is a low grade fuel so

• Pressure range is >200psi. cannot be pressurised & stored
• Economical to transport as less space required. directly, so to store in high
pressure , biogas is upgraded to
• Expensive to store. biomethane by removing 𝐶𝑂2 , 𝐻2 S
• Risk factor is high. & moisture.

• Skills handling is required.

Biogas can be stored in 2 forms :-

Advantages of LBM over CBM :-
1. CBM – Compressed BioMethane
1. Easy to transport
2. LBM – Liquid BioMethane
2. Can be dispensed directly to LNG or CNG7 vehicles.
 Upgradation of BIOGAS to BIOMETHANE :-
 This can be done by purification of biogas

 Purification of biogas by scrubbing :-

1. 𝐶𝑂2 Separation Unit : -

CaO + 𝐶𝑂2 CaC𝑂3

2. Moisture Separation Unit :- It contains Silica gel.

3. 𝐻2 S Separation Unit :-
Iron Oxide (𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3 ) is used as catalyst.

2 𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3 + 6 𝐻2 S 2 𝐹𝑒2 𝑆3 + 6 𝐻2 O 8

2 𝐹𝑒2 𝑆3 + 3 𝑂2 2 𝐹𝑒2 𝑂3 + 6 S Scrubbing unit

Fig. 2
 Distribution of BIOGAS :-

 There are several options, based on its point of origin :-

I. Distribution via dedicated biomethane pipelines.
II. Distribution via the natural gas pipeline.
III. Over the road transport of CBM.
IV. Over the road transportation of LBM.

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I. Distribution via dedicated biomethane pipelines : -
 Consumption points should be near to production.(Less than 1 Mile)
• Eg. Biomethane can be transported to nearby fuelling station
 Most cost effective method.
 Cost of installation is $ 1M to $ 2.5M.

II. Distribution via natural gas pipelines :-

 Offers potentially unlimited storage & distribution system for biomethane.
 Using this network biomethane can directly replace natural gas & can be used
by the equipment connected in network.
• Eg. Domestic gas appliances, commercial gas equipment, CNG fuelling
station 10
III.Over the road transportation of CBM
& :-
IV.Over the road transportation of LBM
 It is compressed to 3000 to 3600 psi to transport economically over the road vehicles ( Tube Trailers)

 Requirements :-
i. Transport in DOT approved tanks.
ii. Water vapour content is less than 0.5 lbs/million.
iii. Minimum methane content should be more than 98%.
iv. Appropriate Hazardous material markings.

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Refrences :-

1. IOSR Journal of Electrical and Electronics Engineering e-ISSN : 2278-1676, p-ISSN :

2320-3331
2. A Sourcebook for the Production and Use of Renewable Natural Gas in California –
“Biomethane from Dairy Waste”
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biogas
4. https://i1.wp.com/www.bioenergyconsult.com/wp-
content/uploads/2012/04/double_membrane_biogas_holder.jpg
5. https://www.bioenergyconsult.com/biogas-storage/
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THANK YOU

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